The Prime Minister has expressed his delight that Thailand’s Songkran Festival has been added to a preliminary list for consideration by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage.
Anucha Burapachaisri, a government spokesperson, stated that Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha was happy with the placement of the Thai New Year event on the preliminary list for consideration as the nation’s fourth intangible cultural treasure.
The premier was also pleased with UNESCO’s decision, which he said reflected global acknowledgment of Thailand’s cultural identities and values.
A practice, representation, expression, knowledge, or skill, as well as items or cultural property, is considered intangible cultural heritage (ICH) by UNESCO to be part of a place’s cultural history.
Other characteristics of Thailand are also awaiting inclusion on the preliminary list of intangible cultural heritages.
Khon, a dance drama genre, traditional Thai massage, or Nuad Thai, and Nora, an acrobatic style of dance theater and improvised singing from southern Thailand, are listed among Thailand’s intangible cultural heritages.
The Songkran Festival is anticipated to be considered by UNESCO at its conference near the end of this year.
